Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 7333, Elkanah French, Mass

SERVICE
NUMBER
Mass
French Elkanah Patience
W 7333
B.L.M. 96:28 160-56-
CONTENTS

33.226
Massachusetts
Elkanah Menden, decd.
of A in the State of Massa who was a Pirate in the commanded by Captain of the commanded by in the Revolution for 8 months 15 days
Inscribed on the Roll of Boston at the rate of 28 Dollars 32 Cents per annum.
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831. Aug 25th August 1831
Certificate of Pension issued the 24th day of March 1834 and ten to
B. Cowell Arrears to the 4th of Providence Semi-annual allowance ending R.I.
Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832.
Recorded by H. A. Wightman Clerk, Book C. Vol. L Page 27

3901
Massachusetts Patience French widow of Ellenah French who served in the Revolutiona-
ry war, as a Pirate
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 28 Dollars 33
Cents per annum, to commence on the 3d February, 1853.
Certificate of Pension issued 24 day of March/53 and sent to
P. Gowell Providence R.I.
Recorded on Roll of Pensioners under act February 3, 1853, Page 39 Vol. A
32
Cop.

Wed March 3, 1855
75-340
Sept 16/53
Patience French and
of Elizabeth French Prin
Capt - Carpenter
Col. Sitouma
Patience French
Rev War
Elizabet French. Prin
Map: Mil: Pensylvania
Map - Feb 55 - 3901
Ad: 160 Acres Oct 30 1855
Bryant
W M
Benj. Cornell Providence R.I.
Vol. F. 131. —

Elkanah French

To the Honorable the Senate and House of Representatives in Congress assembled, - The undersigned would respectfully represent, that I served in the war of the Revolution at three distinct places more than twelve months, that he now is aged and infirm (all but seventy four old) and in low circum- stances as to living and one son that need my assistance that can't walk only with crutches, and that I need the assistance of the country which I have faithfully served.
In the year 1775 I served six weeks at the Lexington and then was unraveled and got dismissed
In 1775 I then enlisted and served four months on Winter Hill and in Dorchester part of the time and Capt Nathaniel Carpenter Company, and part under Capt Saml Carpenter I think Colonel Titcomb commanded the Regiment, this serving began the 1st of December 1775.
In 1776. I served six months under Captain Nathaniel Carpenter Company at New York in Col T. Bay Regiment in Brigadier General Fellows Brigade -
In 1777 - I served two months at Switown, when the British was on Rhode Island in General Spencers & were Commander of the Massachusetts Troops on that Station -
Dated Seekonk this 24 day of December AD 1830.
Elkanah French
John Paine Co
2, Months dismp April 1 1776
Commonwealth of Massachusetts Dristol County, ss.
Personally appeared the within named Elkanah French and made oath to the truth of the within Statement by him made and subscribed -
Before me
Allen Hunt
Justice of the Peace.

Lilium Trench.

Commonwealth of Massachusetts County of Bristol ss
On this 5 th day of September A D 1853 personally appeared in open Court being the Court of Probate within & for said County of Bristol Patience French resident in Seekonk in said County a State aged eighty four years, who being first duly sworn according to law doth on her oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefits of the act of Congress passed on the 3 rd of February 1853 granting pensions to widows of persons who served in the war of the Revolution viz That she is the widow of Elkanah French late of said Seekonk deceased who served as a private in various companies & regiments. That in December A D 1775. he was called out or enlisted to serve as a private in Capt Carpenter's company & Col Titcomb's regiment of Massachusetts Troops Stationed near Boston in Massachusetts on Winter Hill, in which he continued four months, or thereabouts, and was honorably discharged in that company & in Capt John Paine's company in same regiment, & was honorably discharged. And she further declares that in same year in the summer he was called out or enlisted in Capt Nathaniel Carpenter's company in Col. Simon Clegg's regiment & General John Fellows Brigade & marched to the White Plains in the State of New York in which served about six months. And she further declares that he said

husband served two months, as a private in General Spencer's expedition against the enemy on the Island of Rhode Island in the autumn of 1777.
And the said Patience further declares that in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty before any act of Congress was passed by the provisions of which, he could be allowed a pension the said husband petitioned Congress to be allowed a pension from his Country for his said services in the war of the Revolution but no act was passed before his death. a Copy of his petition is hereto annexed also a copy of William Dazget's affidavit also a letter from the Hon James L. Hodges a member of the House of Representatives at the time, acknowledging the receipt of his petition. And she further declares that during said war her said husband's father was living & that her husband's name will be found on the Rolls as Elkanah French Jr. as she believes.
And she further declares that she was married to the said Elkanah French on the nineteenth day of May A.D. 1808 But she has no record of it, either public or private, but it is proved by the testimony of witnesses whose affidavits are hereto annexed and she further says her husband died on the twenty fifth day of August A.D. 1831 and since his death she has remained his widow, that she was not married to him prior to the second of Jany. Eighteen hundred, but at the time above stated Her name before her said marriage was Patience Whitaker
Whitaker

being entitled to a pension according to the provisions of said act thereunder that the same may be granted — Patience French witness Oliver Prescott.
Subscribed and sworn to by the said Patience French on the day and year above written in open court — Oliver Prescott Judge of Probate
Commonwealth of Massachusetts Bristol County ss.
I John Daggett Register of the Court of Probate in and for said County do hereby certify that the Hon. Oliver Prescott before whom the foregoing Declaration was made and whose signature is affixed to the foregoing certificate was at the date thereof Judge of said Court duly com- missioned and qualified, and that his signature is genuine.
In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and the seal of said Court this tenth day of September eighteen hundred and fifty three.
John Daggett Register

75 5/10
Patience French

Mapahusith State of Rhode Island, &c.
County of Bristol, ss
On this 28 day of March A. D. One Thousand Eight Hundred and Fifty-five, personally appeared before me, William Ids a Justice of the Peace within and for the County aforesaid, Patience French aged 86 years, now resident in the Town of Taunton in said County, who being duly sworn accord- ing to law, declares and says she is the widow of Elkanah French who was a private in Capt. Carpenter's other com- pany and in a Regiment commanded by Col. Titcomb , in the war of the Revolution, and that her said husband was in actual service more than Six months in said war, and was honorably discharged.
And she further declares that she was married to Elkanah French on the 19 day of May A. D. 1808 by Darius Perry a Justice of the Peace and that her name before marriage was Patience Whitaker and that her said husband died on the 25 day of August A. D. 1831 and that she is now a widow.
And she further declares that she is now a Pensioner of the United States at the rate of $ 20 32 per annum; which pension was granted her on account of her said husband's services in said war, which pension is payable at the Agency for pay- ing pensions in the City of Boston  Providence . And she further declares that when she made a declaration to obtain her said pension she produced satisfactory evidence of her said marriage to her said husband and of his death, to which declaration and the evidence therewith filed, she now refers for proof of her said marriage, of her said husband's death, and her claim to Bounty Land under the Act of Congress of March 3d, 1855, and she makes this declaration for that purpose. She further declares that she has never made any application for Bounty Land before the present.
Patience French
We James Workman and Betsey J. Lawton residents of the town of Taunton in said State upon our oaths declare that the foregoing declaration was signed & acknowledged by said Patience French in our presence and that we believe from the appearance & statements of the applicant that she is the identical person she represents herself to be
James Workman Betsey J. Lawton

The foregoing declarations and affidavits were sworn to and subscribed before me on the day and year above written, and certify that I know the affiants to be credible persons that the claimant is the person she represents herself to be and that I have no interest in this claim
William J. Foster of the Reave
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Bristol ss.
I, James Groat, Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas for said County of Bristol, do hereby certify that William J. Foster, whose signature is affixed to the foregoing Certificate, is and was on the day of the date thereof, a Justice of the peace in said County of Bristol, and duly qualified to administer oaths.
In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the seal of said Court at Taunton, this twenty day of April, in the year Eighteen hundred and fifty-five.
J. Groat

No. 75340
ACT OF MARCH 3, 1855.
Received Apr. 16 th 1875.
Elkanah French - Deed Rec.
Capt. Carpenter -
Maps - Mil.
Rev. War
9528-160-58-
Benj. Cowell
Providence
R.I.

Hon. L.
Patience French
33rd Waldo 33rd
FREE
Committee of Pensions
Washington
DC
Hon. J. P. Waldo
Ms. A. 9.2/54
Boymtown
Committee of Pensions
Washington
Co. Vermont
March
Patience
French
FREE

✓ 9528
]
160 Acres
No. 3.496
Massachusetts
Patience French
wid. of Elkanah -
1853 Nov. 2. Lot to B. Cowell 54 July 25 " Same -
Attest J. Feb. 1853.
1853. Nov.
Brattle

Rev WIDOW, &c.
File No.
7333
Patience French
Wid.
Elkanah French
Pvt. Rev. War
Act:
Feby. 24/53
Index:—Vol.
4
Page
252
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Certificate of Survivor
Mass Sec. of State

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office. Boston,
March 10 th 1854.
I Hereby Certify. That from an examination of the Books and Documents relating to Military Services in the War of the Revolution, which remain in this Department, it appears that the name of E. Munn  Seventh  Co. is borne on list of Capt. Paine's Comp. stationed at Winter Hill  Dorchester about two months. (Dismissed April 1. 1776)
Also on list of Capt. Carpenter's Comp. stationed at Brookline for six weeks (Dismissed May 15. 1776.
Also on list of Capt. Carpenter's Comp. in Col. Simon (Lynch) Regt. in Gen. John Fellows Brigade , N. Y. at White Plains for 5 mos. (Dismissed Dec. 1. 1776.)
In Testimony whereof, I have hereunto affixed the Seal of the Commonwealth, the date above written.
T. M. Knight Secretary of the Commonwealth.

Providence Jany 16 1854
Sir
In answer to your letter of Nov 2/53 respecting the claim of Patience French widow of Elhanan French for a pension I have to say that the name of her husband is not found on the Rolls of Revolutionary service in Boston in the Secretarys office as appears by the enclosed letter. — I have however to say that the Rolls in his office, especially of the Militia service are very imperfect. This I know to be a fact from the circumstance that I have many Rolls in my possession of Massachusetts Troops of which there is no record in the Secretarys office, and I have copies of most of the Rolls of the companies raised to be with the French in Quebec upon which her husbands name is borne — And I have reason to expect that the originals of these Rolls are in the Pension office at Washington, Mr Edwards, the late Commissioner has spoken of them & referred to them as being in the Pension office, especially of Capt A Carpenter Co A 1st Cont Regt in 1776, a service of 5 Months & upwards, in which the French asserts her husband served, & so it appears upon a copy of that Roll now

now in my possession, I obtained this copy as well as several others from the originals which belonged to Jonathan Carpenter of Randolph, H. who lived in Rehoboth in time of the Revolution (from which town, Rehoboth was afterwards set off) He sent these Rolls in a letter dated Randolph July 21 1832 to ascertain what soldiers were living who could testify to his service - I presume he was pensioned since the act of June 1832 and it may be all the original Rolls of the companies in which he served are now to be found among his papers in the Pension office - and if so, you will find the name of Elkanah French, Jr. on several of them, proving the service claimed by his widow, & thus proving also that the Rolls in the Secretarys office in Boston are imperfect
But if these Rolls cannot be found Mrs French must rely on the affidavits taken by her husband in his life time & which accompanied his petition to Congress & which are now among the Archives of the House of Representatives. Mr Hodge a member of that body had charge of his petition as appears by his letter which accompanied his widows claim for a pension

and to these I must refer you, or if duplicate copies of the Rolls now in my possession will aid in the investigation of this widows claim I shall be happy to furnish them
I am very Respectfully Yours at Servant Benja Canell
Howl P Waldo

D. H.
Memorandum
Memorandum
London to New York - 1890 - 1891 - 1892 - 1893 Cash

In Off Act 3 Feb '83 - Massachusetts Mrm. Bristol
Palmer French - form. Whitaker - widow of Elkanah French - Statements of Service - 1773 Dec; Private Capt. Carpenter's Co., Col. Williams' regt. Mass troops (5 mos. claimed in Paine's Co. Same regt. altogether)
Summer of Same year in Capt. Nuttall's Carpenter Co., Col. Simon Cary's regt. Gt. Falls Village Brigade - to White Plains N.Y. (6 mos. service claimed) and Spencer Expedition to Rho. Id. in 1777 - 2 months claimed.
Rolls not in Col. Miles room - case cancelled admitted when Service Certified from Massachusetts State Dept.
Identity & marriage proved by witnesses - Death certified by Col. 7

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office, Boston;
January 10. 1854.
Sir:
Mrs Patience French, Madam,
I have made two several searches for Elkanah French and I am unable to find the evidence of service there given to you April 29. 1853. I cannot find Elkanah French or Elkanah French Jr. or Elkanah French, and although your late husband may have made all the service you claim, our records do not show it. I am sorry that you are not able to make proof, I am unable to help you this matter.
I am most cordially your ob't. serv't. N. Lyman Strong (Actg of Pensions) for the Secretary.

No. 38. 716
Massachusetts
Act 7. June 1832
Elkanah French deceased
Adm. 8 mo. 15 days Private $28. 32
from 1 st March 1831 to 25 Aug. 1831 when he died; payable to the widow Palmina French
No. 3496
Act 3 Feb. 53
Adm. Palmina French widow &c. $28. 32 for ann. from 3 Feb. 1853
P. H. Lowell Providence R. I.

Brief in the case of
Elkanah French decd, & Patience, his widow
County and State of Massachusetts
act 7 June 1832 & 3 Feb. 53
Claim, ("original," or "for increase.")
Proof exhibited, (if original.)
Is it documentary, traditional, or supported by rolls? If either, state the substance.
Service proved by record evidence —
Marriage & Identity by witnesses as Also death of husband 25, Aug t . 1831 — The widow is therefore allowed the annuity under Act of 7 June 1832 to 25, August 1831 when her husband died. She is also pensioned under (If for increase.) Act of 3 February 1853, having
Has additional evidence been filed since the admission of the claim? If so, what?
been married since 1800
Name and residence of Agent
B. Cornell Providence R.I.
Examining Clerk.

Providence Sept 23, 1853
Sir
Herewith enclose the application of Patience French widow of Elkanah French for a pension under the 2 d Section of the act of Congress of Feb y 1853. I presume the original petition of her husband is on file in the House of Representatives to which she refers & may be examined if thought necessary & also the other evidence. I take the liberty to add altho it is no doubt true that he served "some months" in the latter end of the year 1775 & the beginning of 1776 as he has stated in his petition but I believe he served the "four months" of that service in Capt John Pains Co & not all in Capt Carpenter's. It appears so by the Rolls in my possession - It appears he served 6 weeks in Capt Carpenter's Co & about two months in Capt Pains. I presume you have these Rolls: if not I can send you copies - The Roll of Simonds Gorge's regiment in Gen Putnam's Brigade

am very certain is in the Pension office and will confirm the statements of the applicant - Alkanah French stated in his petition to Congress that he served "more than twelve months" & for this amount of service the widow claims a pension -
I am Respectfully Yours at best Benja Cowell
Hon L P Waldo

Providence March 26. 1854
Sir
In reply to your letter of Jan'y 25 Ult o respecting the claim of Patience French widow of Elkanah French formerly Elkanah Jr. for a pension under the act of Feb 3 d 1835. I herewith enclose further evidence from the Archives of Massachusetts. The Certificate of the Secretary of State proves 8 1/2 months service, but her husband in his petition to Congress Dec r 24 1830 reports 12 months & produced evidence to prove it, I hope therefore the whole amount of service may be allowed. I have to request also that the arrear of pension which accrued from the 4 th of March 1831 to Aug 25 1831 when her husband died may also be allowed to her agreeably to the provisions of the act of July 4 1836, which entitles her to such arrearage -
I am Respectfully your obed t Servt Benja Cornwell
Hon L P. Waldo

Commonwealth of Massachusetts County of Bristol ss
I Cyrus M. Wheaton of Rehoboth in said County do certify and say that I am Town clerk of said town and by virtue of my office have the custody of the records of Births and Marriages which have taken place in said town, And I further certify that after a careful examination of said records, I cannot find the record of the Marriage of Elkanah French to Patience Whittaker entered therein Cyrus M. Wheaton
Commonwealth of Massachusetts Bristol ss July 20th 1853.
Personally came before me the above named Cyrus M. Wheaton known to me as the town clerk of the town of Rehoboth in said County and made oath to the truth of the above certificate him signed
Sam l Morse Justice of the Peace

I Matilda Bolkearn of Rehoboth in the County of Bristol and State of Massachusetts aged seventy eight years do testify and say that I was well acquainted with Elkanah French late of Seekonk in said County and the husband of Patience French now his Widow and I further testify and say, that I was present at their Marriage. They were married by David Perry Esq. in the year A.D. 1808 on the nineteenth day of May. I have a distinct recollection of this fact. Her Maiden name was Whitaker and her name at that time was Patience Whitaker and they lived together as Man & Wife until his death and she is now his widow.
Matilda Bolkearn
Bristol June 28th 1853
Subscribed & sworn to before me and I further certify said Matilda Bolkearn is a credible Witness
William Ide Justice of the Peace
1st Tuesday in Sept

I Jacob Bolhearn of Rehoboth in the County of Bristol in the State of Massachusetts aged eighty four years do testify and say that I was well acquainted with Elkanah French late of Seekonk in said County and the husband of Patience French now his Widow and I further testify and say, that I was present at their Marriage They were married by David Perry Esq. in the year A.D. 1808 on the fourth nineteenth day of May. I have a distant recollection of this fact her Maiden name was Whitaker and her name at that time was Patience Whitaker and they lived together as Man and Wife until his death and she is now his Widow.
his Jacob Bolhearn mark
Bristol ss June 28 th 1853
Subscribed and sworn to before me and I further certify said Jacob Bolhearn is a Credible Witness
William Ide Judge of the Peace

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office. Boston, September 22 1853
I hereby Certify, That on the thirty first of March 1852 William Ide and on the nineteenth of October 1852 Samuel Morse were appointed for the term of seven years, each, Justices of the Peace for the County of Bristol
in the said Commonwealth, duly commissioned and constituted; and that to their acts and attestations, as such, full faith and credit are and ought to be given, in and out of Court.
In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto affixed the Seal of the Commonwealth, the date above written.
E. M. D. Wright Secretary of the Commonwealth.

Commonwealth of Massachusetts -
Essex County ss. At a Court of Probate begun and held at Falmouth in and for said County on the sixth day of January Eighteen hundred and forty three, it was satisfactorily proved to said Court that Elkanah French late of Seekonk in said County, deceased died on the twenty fifth day of August Eighteen hundred and thirty one, that he had been a Revolutionary Soldier and was the husband of Patience French, who is his widow, and is still living in said Seekonk -
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and the seal of said Court this sixth day of January Eighteen hundred forty three - J. Bassett

(Copy)
William Daggett of Seekonk in the County of Bristol and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Labourer, makes oath and saith, that he was private in the company commanded by Captain Nathaniel Carpenter, and a part of the time by Captain Samuel Carpenter, in the Regiment I think commanded by Colonel Titcomb at Dorchester and Winter Hill in the State of Massachusetts in the year A.D. 1775 and 1776, and that I was acquainted with Elkanah French of said Seekonk who was a private in said Company and served as such four months - And that I also served as a private with said Elkanah French at New York in the year 1776 six months in Captain Nathaniel Carpenter's Company in the Regiment commanded by Colonel L. Cuy and the Brigade commanded by General Fellows. And that the said Elkanah French now lives in said Seekonk and within two miles of me - and that he is poor and needy and stands in need of relief for the common comforts of life -
And further your affiant saith not
Dated at Seekonk this 24th day of December A.D. 1830
William Daggett
Commonwealth of Massachusetts Bristol County, ss.
Personally appeared the above named William Daggett and made oath to the truth of the foregoing declaration by him subscribed
Before me
Allen Hunt
Justice of the Peace

Mrs Elkanah French
William Lloyd Esdaile Esquire Oxford, Miss.
Miss J. Storer
ASDA JAN 4

House of Reps. Washington Jan. 14 th 1830.
Dear Sir,
Your favor of the 24 th ult o I received yesterday with your memorial &c. The latter, I have presented to the House, and it is now before the appropriate Committee. The Bill to which you refer, which passed the House and was not fully acted on in the Senate, was this morning again reported by the Committee on Military Pensions to the House. — It is under this Bill or some one of similar character, that you and thousands circumstanced like you, can hope for that relief which you deserve and ought to receive at the hands of your country, whose prosperity and strength may be traced to the valor and services of the Soldiers of the Revolution. I enclose the Bill, with the assurance of my devotion to the cause of the Soldiers of the Revolution.
Yours with respect & esteem, James L. Hughes.
Elkanah French Esquire

Patience French

Providence September 23 1853
I Benjamin Cowell of the City of Providence in the State of Rhode Island do certify that about ten years ago Mrs Patience French of Seekonk widow of Elkanah French placed in my hands several of the documents which she has now annexed to her declaration viz a copy of her said husband's petition to Congress copy of William Daggith affidavit an original letter of the Hon James L Hodges then a member of the House of Representatives & the Certificate of the Court of Probate of the time the said Elkanah died, with the view to prosecute her claim for some arrears of pension due her as his widow under the acts of Congress of June 7 1832 and July 4 1836, But it appearing that the amount to be recovered was so small the claim was abandoned -
I also certify that I have a copy of a Roll of Capt John Pains Company, a Captain of Militia from Rehoboth, from which Town Seekonk was subsequently taken & incorporated as a Town; on which is borne the name of "Elkanah French Jr" his said husband's father being then living. The Roll is headed thus "A List of Captain Pains Company stationed on Winter Hill & Dorchester about two months dismissed April 1 1776". I have also copies of Rolls of Capt Nathaniel Carpenter for six weeks service January 15 1776 - & also for the five months service in Col Clegg's regiment & General John Fellows Brigade at White Plains at New York on each of which is borne the name of "Elkanah French Jr". Benja Cowell

State of Rhode Island Providence p.
In the city of Providence this twenty third day of September A.D. eighteen hundred and fifty three personally appeared Benjamin Small and made oath to the truth of the foregoing Statement by him signed. I also certify that the statements of the said Small are entitled to full credence.
Before me.
William C. Greene Justice of the Peace

THE STATE OF RHODE ISLAND AND PROVIDENCE PLANTATIONS.
PROVIDENCE, SC.
CLERK'S OFFICE, SUPREME COURT,
PROVIDENCE, September 23 A. D., 185 3 ,
I, Edwin Metcalf
Clerk of the SUPREME COURT of said State, within and for the County of Providence:
DO HEREBY CERTIFY, That
Thomas C. Greene Esquire is a Justice of the Peace within and for Said County
duly appointed and qualified, and authorized to administer oaths and take depositions and the acknowledgment of deeds and other instruments, and that the signature to the annexed Certificate, purporting to be his, is genuine.
IN ATTESTATION WHEREOF, I hereto subscribe my name, and affix the Seal of said Court, the day and year above written.
Edwin Metcalf Clerk.